4.2

Question 1

what is an operating system and what does it do?

Answer 1

provides the environment where applications can be run + a useable interface between humans and computer.

• An operating system also disguises the complexity of computer software and hardware.

Question 2

examples of operating systems?

Answer 2

Microsoft Windows
Apple Mac OS
Google Android

Question 3

functions of the operating system?

Answer 3

HCI (human computer interface)
Multitasking
Security
Interrupt handling routines
Memory management
Managing files

Question 4

what are the two HCIs

Answer 4

CLI and GUI

Question 5

describe CLI

Answer 5

• Command Line
Interface = CLI
• the user to type in instructions to choose options from menus
• The user has to learn a number of commands just to carry out basic operations. It is slow
• advantage = the user is in direct communication with the computer, not restricted to pre-determined options.

Question 6

describe GUI

Answer 6

• GUI = graphical user interface
• allows user to interact with a computer using pictures or symbols (icons)
• selecting he icon from the screen would automatically load the application
• There is no need to type in anything.

Question 7

who uses CLI and GUI?

Answer 7

CLI : programmer, analyst, technician
GUI: any regular user

Question 8

what is an interrupt

Answer 8

when a signal is sent from a device / software to the microprocessor

causes the microprocessor to temporarily stop what it is doing

buffers and interrupts are often used together

Question 9

describe memory management

Answer 9

keeps track of all memory locations and does memory projections. manages RAM.
without it data would be lost and the computer could crash.

Question 10

describe security management

Answer 10

ensures the integrity, confidently, and availability of the data. makes sure anti virus software is up to date, communicates with a firewall etc